Engineering solutions for smarter industrial processes
Robert Sabljo, MEng — founder and lead engineer at Sabre A&D. Over 8 years delivering PLC/DCS, SCADA, and advanced process control solutions across various process industries worldwide.
End-to-end industrial automation and digitalization engineering — from system architecture and software development through commissioning and operational support.
PLC & SCADA development
Software development and integration of PLC and SCADA/HMI systems for industrial processes, including DCS architectures for complex plant control. Experienced working with multiple automation vendors including Siemens, Rockwell Automation, and ANDRITZ Metris.
Advanced Process Control
Design and implementation of APC solutions including evaluation of existing processes and control systems, identification of improvement opportunities across hardware (instrumentation, sensors, equipment) and software (PID tuning, MPC, control narratives), and actionable recommendations to enhance plant performance.
System integration
Connecting automation layers — from field devices to supervisory systems — using industrial protocols such as OPC-UA, Modbus, Profinet, Ethernet/IP, and others. Particular focus on cross-vendor interoperability, integration with higher-level systems such as MES and historian platforms.
Commissioning & support
On-site and remote commissioning, FAT/SAT support, and control system verification across process industries. Debugging of process and control problems, both remotely and on-site as the situation requires.
Legacy system modernization
Assessment and upgrade of legacy automation platforms — improving reliability, maintainability, and enabling modern data connectivity and operational visibility.
Documentation & consulting
Technical documentation, process assessments, and engineering consulting across the full project lifecycle — from requirements through operational support. Training and hands-on support for engineers and plant operators.
I founded Sabre A&D to deliver focused, senior-level automation and digitalization engineering without the overhead of a large consultancy. Every project is handled personally — from requirements definition and system architecture through to on-site commissioning and operational support.
My background spans DCS/PLC and SCADA software development and commissioning in the steelmaking industry across five continents, as well as advanced process control in the animal feed and pet food industry. I also work part-time as a teaching assistant in industrial automation at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Osijek.
SABRE Automation and Digitalization Ltd.
Founder & Lead Engineer
Feb 2026 – present
Independent engineering and consulting in industrial automation, process control, and digitalization. Full project lifecycle from architecture to commissioning.
ANDRITZ Digital Factory
Advanced Process Control Engineer
Nov 2024 – Jan 2026
Engineered APC projects, conducted process data analysis, MPC implementation, PID tuning, and on-site commissioning.
Danieli Systec
Automation Specialist
Feb 2018 – Oct 2024 · 6 yrs 9 mo
Commissioning and software development of DCS/PLC and SCADA systems for the steelmaking industry — continuous casting machines, meltshop, and water treatment — across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa.
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, CS & IT Osijek
Teaching Assistant (contract)
Apr 2024 – present
Laboratory exercises in Industrial Informatics — PLC programming and industrial automation.
EDUCATION
Academic background
Engineering education from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology in Osijek, Croatia.
MEng, Computer Engineering
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, CS & IT Osijek
2016 – 2019
BEng, Computer Engineering
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, CS & IT Osijek
2013 – 2016
Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Electrical Engineering and Traffic School Osijek
2009 – 2013
PUBLICATIONS
Research & writing
Technical publications covering advanced process control and industrial safety.
26 projects across steelmaking, process control, and industrial digitalization — greenfield builds, brownfield upgrades, software development, and commissioning across 10 countries.
26
Total projects
10
Countries
8+
Years of delivery
3
Industries
APCAqua & Pet FoodProduct Development
Feb 2026 – present
Advanced Control Expert (ACE) Product Development — Dryer
Development project · MetrisX DCS Soft-PLC & BrainWave MPC
Technical consulting for the long-term development of the Dryer ACE process optimization system based on MPC (BrainWave controller) and Andritz MetrisX DCS. Responsibilities include assessing process optimization opportunities, developing Application Studio Soft-PLC programs, performing MPC tuning, and delivering technical documentation, training, and expert guidance to stakeholders.
Client in China · MetrisX Soft-PLC & BrainWave MPC
APC engineering, simulation testing, and commissioning. MetrisX DCS Controller (Soft-PLC), BrainWave MPC Controller, and IDEAS Process Simulator. Integration with Rockwell Allen Bradley PLC and Zenon SCADA.
Client in Romania · MetrisX Soft-PLC & BrainWave MPC
APC engineering and simulation testing for a greenfield process optimization project. MetrisX DCS Controller (Soft-PLC), BrainWave MPC Controller, and IDEAS Process Simulator.
MPCBrainWaveMetrisX DCSIDEAS Simulator
Product Development
Dec 2024 – Feb 2025
Pelleting Mill Operator Training Simulator
Development project · MetrisX DCS Soft-PLC
Development of MetrisX Application Studio Soft-PLC and Display Studio HMI for an operator training simulator for pelleting mills.
Client in USA · Allen Bradley ControlLogix 5580 & Rockwell FactoryTalk
Commissioning of HyPower Oscillator PLC and Testing Station PLC and Operator Panel. HMI modifications in Rockwell FactoryTalk.
ControlLogix 5580FactoryTalk HMICommissioning
SteelmakingBrownfield
Jun – Aug 2024
Billet CCM & Electric Arc Furnace Safety System Upgrade
Client in Croatia · Siemens S7 & TIA Portal
Commissioning of converted Safety PLC (PILZ → Siemens TIA Portal) for Billet CCM and Siemens S7 Safety PLC upgrade for Electric Arc Furnace. WinCC HMI modifications.
Commissioning of Strand & Cooling PLC for Twin Thin Slab Continuous Casting Machine on a greenfield steel plant project.
TIA PortalWinCCCCMCommissioning
SteelmakingGreenfield
Mar – Oct 2023
8-Strand Billet CCM & Water Treatment Plant
Client in UK · Allen Bradley ControlLogix 5580 & Rockwell FactoryTalk
Pre-commissioning and commissioning of Water Treatment Plant PLC, CCM Strand PLC, and CCM General & Safety PLC for an 8-strand billet casting machine. Full network and HMI commissioning.
Client in Mexico · Allen Bradley PLC5 → ControlLogix 5580
Software conversion of Meltshop Scrapyard and two strand PLC systems from legacy Allen Bradley PLC5 to ControlLogix 5580 platform.
PLC migrationControlLogix 5580Meltshop
SteelmakingGreenfield
Oct – Dec 2022
4-Strand Billet CCM Production Re-Startup
Client in USA · Allen Bradley ControlLogix 5580 & Rockwell FactoryTalk
Production re-startup and on-site assistance for a four-strand billet continuous casting machine.
ControlLogix 5580FactoryTalkProduction support
SteelmakingGreenfield
Nov 2022
Thin Slab CCM — Production Assistance
Client in USA · Siemens TIA Portal & Intouch
Two-week shift assistance to production for a thin slab continuous casting machine.
TIA PortalIntouchProduction support
SteelmakingBrownfield
Aug – Oct 2022
8-Strand Billet CCM General & Safety PLC Development
Client in UK · Allen Bradley GuardLogix 5580
Software development of General & Safety PLC for an 8-strand billet continuous casting machine.
GuardLogix 5580Safety PLCCCM
SteelmakingBrownfield
Aug – Sep 2022
4-Strand Billet CCM Lateral Transfer Car Upgrade
Client in Egypt · Siemens S7
Software development of lateral transfer car upgrade for General PLC as part of a revamping project for a four-strand billet continuous casting machine.
Siemens S7RevampingCCM
SteelmakingBrownfield
Jun – Aug 2022
3-Strand Billet CCM Mold Level Control & Strand Upgrade
Client in Canada · Allen Bradley ControlLogix 5570 & Ignition SCADA
PLC development for strand and mold level control upgrade. Partial contribution to Ignition SCADA HMI development for the project.
Commissioning of Strand & Cooling PLC and Oscillator PLC on redundant S7-400H architecture for Thin Slab CCM Line #1.
S7-400HRedundant PLCIntouch HMI
SteelmakingBrownfield
May – Jul 2021
Slab CCM PLC Migration — STEP5 to STEP7 (Phase 2)
Client in Russia · Siemens STEP5 → STEP7
Strand PLC, Torch & Marking Machine conversion from Siemens STEP5 to STEP7 for a slab continuous casting machine (Phase 2).
STEP5 → STEP7PLC migrationSlab CCM
SteelmakingGreenfield
Sep 2020 – Apr 2021
Twin Thin Slab CCM — Commissioning & Production Assistance
Client in Vietnam · Siemens TIA Portal & WinCC
Commissioning of Multi Mode Electromagnetic Break (MM-EMB) and its cooling system. Production assistance for HSP QSP Twin Thin Slab CCM.
TIA PortalWinCCMM-EMBQSP
RecyclingBrownfield
Aug 2020
Cascade Booster Fan — Shredder & Downstream Recycling Line
Client in Spain · Siemens TIA Portal & Intouch
Software and HMI development for cascade booster fan for a shredder and downstream recycling line.
TIA PortalIntouch HMIShredder
SteelmakingBrownfield
Jun – Jul 2020
Electromagnetic Strip Stabilizer — HMI Development
Client in Russia · CODESYS & Siemens WinCC
Development of Siemens WinCC HMI for an electromagnetic strip stabilizer on a metal galvanizing line, with CODESYS modifications for HiPac PLC.
WinCCCODESYSHiPac PLCGalvanizing
SteelmakingBrownfield
Mar – May 2020
Slab CCM PLC Migration — STEP5 to STEP7 (Phase 1)
Client in Russia · Siemens STEP5 → STEP7
General PLC conversion from STEP5 to STEP7 and migration of LAUER PCS090 Operator Panel to Siemens WinCC for a slab continuous casting machine (Phase 1).
STEP5 → STEP7WinCCPLC migration
RecyclingGreenfield
Feb – Mar 2020
Shredder Plant Commissioning & Recommissioning
Client in Spain · Siemens TIA Portal & Intouch
Automatic reject door system fine-tuning, PLC/HMI improvements, and recommissioning of main shredder motor for a shredder and downstream plant.
TIA PortalIntouchCommissioning
SteelmakingGreenfield
Nov 2019 – Jan 2020
Jumbo Beam Blank Continuous Casting Machine
Client in China · Siemens TIA Portal & WinCC
Commissioning of HMI & Operator Panels and Strand PLC (Runout area and Torch Cutter Machine) for a jumbo beam blank casting machine.
TIA PortalWinCCTorch cutter
SteelmakingBrownfield
Mar – Jun 2019
Slab CCM Strand PLC Conversion — S5 to S7
Client in South Africa · Siemens S5 → S7
Conversion of Strand PLC from Siemens S5 to S7 for a slab continuous casting machine.
S5 → S7PLC migrationSlab CCM
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CONTACT
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Available for new automation and digitalization engagements. Get in touch and I'll respond within one business day.
